Bio

Mike Young was named Head Coach of the Western New England University men's ice hockey program on September 10, 2021 and finished the 2022-2023 season as a second year head coach by guiding the Golden Bears to the CCC Playoffs for the second time in his tenure. 

Young completed his first season behind the bench of the Western New England men's ice hockey program in 2021-2022, leading the Golden Bears to four wins, including an opening night win over Westfield State University. Young helped junior Shane Miller collected All-CCC accolades at the end of the season, while making it to the quarterfinals in the CCC Tournament on the ice. Under the direction of their first year head coach, four student athletes received accolades for CCC Players of the Week. WNE would make it to the championship game of the Southern New Hampshire University Stovepipe Tournament, defeating Division II opponent SNHU to make it to the championship game. 

Young comes to Western New England following a stint at Becker College, where he lead the Hawks as their head coach for two seasons. In his first season with the Hawks, Young led the team to a 5-19-1 record. In comparison to the 2018-19 record, the Hawks under Young's coaching had a better record, moved up in the competitive Commonwealth Coast Conference standings, scored more goals, had more assists, had better special teams numbers, and better offensive production, a sign of improvement for the Hawks as they head into the second season with Young at the helm.

At the end of the season, two members of the program and Class of 2020, Alex Kielczewski and Cody Foster, were signed by the Danbury Hat Tricks of the Federal Prospects Hockey League.

Prior to being the head coach at Becker College, Young had a nine-year stint with the Westfield State University men’s ice hockey program. For the final six years at Westfield State, Young was the Associate Head Coach, after being an Assistant Coach in his first three years.  During his time at Westfield State, the program never missed the postseason and Young helped send 19 players to the professional ranks. Westfield State saw three MASCAC Player of the Year awards for the Owls during Young’s nine seasons behind the bench.  In 2019, Young helped the Owls to the most regular-season wins (14) since the program was restarted in 2008.

Prior to his coaching career, Young played two years for the Owls, serving as a team captain since the program’s rejuvenation.

While playing for the Owls, Young provided valued leadership, a blue-collared approach, and an always-positive attitude. Young's affinity for continually learning about the game and his ability to both motivate and teach are just a few of the attributes he continues to demonstrate behind the bench.

Prior to arriving at Westfield, Young spent an NCAA season at UMass-Boston and played his Jr. Hockey career serving as captain for the Wheatfield Blades in the GOJHL and the Paris Mounties of the NJHL. He won a championship with the Waterloo Wolves Midget AAA organization and spent the majority of his minor hockey career as captain for the Woolwich Wildcats.

Young earned his B.A. and master's degrees in English from Westfield State University.